Thursday, September 25, 2008

For the third year in a row the FMI has demonstrated its ability to carryout cleanup projects on the Island of saipan in a rapid and efficient manner and as such has been funded again by Mobil Oil Mariana Islands, Inc. to undertake yet another project. The FMI project is located along Isa Drive, from Airport Road up through to the Botanical Garden. Beginning this weekend the FMI will start cleaning all of the drainage areas connected to the ISA Drive starting first in the Botanical Garden area. We ask the public to be extra vigilant in the ISA Drive Road and please watch out for the FMI members volunteer who are cleaning and clearing these areas of our Island. All members of the public are invited to assist in the efforts this weekend.

Thanks to the news paper and the public in general for your cooperation.

We would like to Thank Mobil Oil Mariana Islands, Inc. for the untiring support to the FMI Group!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Calling all people in the CNMI who would like to give their time for community service! On behalf of our group Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI), we would like to invite you all to our Beautify CNMI! monthly cleanup. If anyone is interested please come and join us this coming Sunday (9/14/08), will be meeting at the Memorial Park, Parking area around 8:00 A.M. Bring your Family, Friends and let's all volunteer for the purpose of a good environment in the CNMI!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

NOAA’s Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of persons poaching endangered sea turtles in the Territory of Guam and in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands.

Turtle poaching is an ongoing problem in the Guam area. In recent months, NOAA special agents have investigated cases involving the sale and consumption of meat and eggs of protected sea turtles.

Turtle experts believe that turtle poaching is a significant contributing factor to the reduction of indigenous sea turtle populations around the Pacific islands.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects all six species of sea turtles in the United States. Endangered species include the indigenous Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, which are commonly found in and around Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. Under the ESA and its corresponding regulations, it is illegal to take, possess, sell, deliver, receive, import, export, carry, transport, or ship any endangered species. A violation of the Endangered Species Act can result in civil penalties of up to $25,000, and criminal fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment up to one year.

Anyone with information is asked to call one of the following numbers:

Special Agent Charles Raterman (Guam) 671-472-7200Pacific Islands Division (Honolulu, HI) 808-541-2727Office for Law Enforcement - National Hotline: 800-853-1964Guam Customs & Quarantine Service - MITF: 671-475-6331Guam Division of Aquatics and Wildlife – DAWR: 671-735-3991U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Guam 671-647-6064NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.